Rolling Colonials Begin Anew... 2011 Storylines To Watch

(Cue dramatic music)

The snows of winter have abated (for now, our fingers are crossed) and the sun is starting to show its face around Foggy Bottom again, sometimes, when we are lucky.

ACCC racing begins this Saturday with the Sanford Road Race, put on by N.C. State. 7 racers are currently scheduled to head south to begin the season's clashes for the ACCC titles. Over the course of the season, we should see up to 14 different Colonials pull on the Buff and Blue and take to the roads.

That said, here are some interesting things to keep an eye on (and keep reading here for):

THE GW RACE WEEKEND
Will it happen? Won't it happen? We are really trying. Really, really trying. We have one day set. Second day... well, we're working on it.

NEW FACES, FIRST RACES
Every team has its rookies each year. Let's see how ours do - Kean, Ben, Guy, Justin, Josh, Chris, and John, who really still counts after only doing 1 race last year. This weekend, we will have Justin, Josh, and John after it on the roads of Sanford and Raleigh. It looks like we will have a stronger category D squad this year than anytime in recent memory.

THE TEAM'S LACK OF CARS THIS YEAR
We might be hitchhiking. Or possibly riding to some races.

NICK'S MARCH TO MADISON
The man has a goal - 2011 Collegiate Road Nationals - and he will not rest until he accomplishes it. Fortunately, if he doesn't get there this year, he still has one more year, so he probably won't break anybody.

WILL MATT RACE?
The answer SHOULD be "yes," but he needs some encouragement. He has a new bike! And the seat tube isn't cracked, like his old bike! Please leave your encouragement in the comments. Crowdsourcing!

NEW SPONSORS TO HELP US ALONG THE WAY
GW has some new sponsors providing us "sticky bottles" of equipment and support this year, as well as some that stuck around. Check out, when you get a chance:
DeFeet, for socks, warmers, and anything woolen
Clif, for nutrition
Rudy Project, for helmets and glasses
DZ Nuts, for "saddle-area needs"
Pelican Resource Group, for automotive and consumer lending
Bicycle Pro Shop Georgetown, for your friendly local bike shop
and November Bikes, for your friendly seasonal bike shop.
We like our sponsors! You should too!